The Deputy, who outlines his views on page 10 of today’s JEP, said that last week he had to vote in a debate to decide whether certain items should be exempted from goods and services tax.
He said he felt a conflict because he is opposed to the zero ten tax package itself and thought many other States Members probably felt the same way.
‘I had to vote on a tax I inherited.
Goods and services tax (GST) was voted on and approved in May 2005.
I was one of 14 politicians elected at the end of 2005 who were not in the States when GST or zero ten were approved,’ he says.
He said his difficulty was compounded as he is ‘absolutely opposed’ to the fiscal strategy.
However, he said he would rather vote than abstain, no matter how uncomfortable that is.
He said he voted for the lowest GST rate possible at 3% following undertakings from Treasury Minister Terry Le Sueur to exempt charging it on some medical services.
